PHIlosophy(a blog)

A couple of week ends ago, I was emailed by a colleague in Sydney suggesting I have a look at the South Sydney - Roosters Round 2 NRL game.

In particular, he was referring to the period in which South Sydney hooker, Adam Reynolds returned to the field after passing a concussion test. This is a 10 minute period in which medical personnel get to assess whether a player is safe to return to the game.

There has been some controversy since this incident regarding whether the player should have been allowed to return to the field. His play over the next three sets in the game was decidedly subpar, which has brought into question the current methods and analysis to decide upon the correct course of action for a head-injured player.

The purpose of this blog is not to overly highlight the pros and cons of on-field concussion testing but to begin a discourse on the possible repercussions and options available to those who've suffered a head injury (sporting or otherwise) in which the brain has been affected.

This same colleague and physiotherapist, Adrian Winkworth, has been involved in significant study in the USA which had brought together some of the best practitioners in their fields to look at the best practice of assessment and treatment in relation to NFL players who have a considerable history of concussion.

There are currently many options that exist for players' recovery, return to sport and long-term health which have yet to utilised. In my next article, I will highlight some of the possibilities that are available through this clinic and that of my colleague in Sydney.